A Comparison between End-Vented and Side-Vented Gas Explosions in Large L/D Vessels

Current design guidelines for the venting of explosions in large length to diameter ratio (L/D) vessels recommend the use of side-venting, but this is based on little experimental data and therefore it was the objective of the present work to provide further information and to compare the side-venting results to end-venting results in explosions in large L/D ratio vessels. A number of pressure peaks were identified and measured during the different stages of the explosion. Compared to end-venting, side-venting further away from the ignition point gave the worst performance whereas side-venting closer to the ignition point gave a better performance. However, side-venting close to the spark only reduced the maximum overpressure from 609mbar for end-venting to 409mbar, and for side-venting further away from the spark the maximum overpressure increased to 686mbar.